“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”  ~ The Lord’s Prayer ~ Matthew 6:5-13

The last verse given us by Jesus for our prayers should read, “but deliver us from the evil one” or “snatch us from the jaws of the evil one.”  Jake tells us in Weekly Topic #5 – Lord, Teach Me How to Pray – that “God doesn't lead us into temptation but sometimes He allows us to be tested by them.  Now we need to ask God to help us recognize temptation and to give us the strength to overcome it and choose God's way instead!”  How do we recognize our individual temptations – whether they be external or internal –
and be delivered unto Christ?

To ask and receive deliverance from our temptations, we must first recognize them.  Temptation is so common we do not even realize sometimes that it is there.  All Christians struggle with it in one way or another.  The Bible shares so many times when Jesus was tempted.  The Bible helps us also to recognize temptation.  When we find ourselves tempted, we should turn to the scriptures for relief and comfort.  In a sense, temptation means suffering, as we see time and time again in the life of Christ, for it is written, "He suffered being tempted" ~ Hebrews 2:18 (emphasis added) ~ and we as Christians must not think we will reach a period in our lives when we will not feel the suffering of temptation, as this is a wrong conception, which gives ground to the enemy for tormenting and attacking us without cause.

Sometimes we all feel that temptation is so powerful and too overcoming for us to bear.  That is one of Satan’s many lies.  We know that God has promised us never to allow more on us than we’re willing to handle.  He will not allow any temptation to overcome and defeat us.

In his book The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren gives us four biblical keys to
defeating temptation., Rick Warren gives us four biblical keys to
defeating temptation.

Refocus your attention on something else.  Keep your mind focused on God’s Word through the scriptures and prayer – play a game on Pogo (or walk away from the computer) – turn off the television.  If you dwell on your temptations, they will overcome you and defeat you.  We by nature move toward whatever we focus our attention on.  What captures our attention arises our emotions and activates our behavior.  It is somewhat of a self-defeating prophecy.

Reveal your struggle to a godly friend or support group.  “The truth is, whatever you can’t talk about is already out there in control of your life.”  How true this is!  Through this wonderful ministry of Christ in Pogo, we each have a terrific support group of loved ones and friends who may have been delivered from a particular temptation we may be going through.  We have an opportunity each and every night at 9:00 p.m. Central to pray with our Christ in Pogo family, as well as Prayer Boards to post our wants and needs.  “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed.” ~ James 5:16

Resist the devil.

• First, we must accept the Good News of the salvation that comes only through knowing Christ Jesus; by continuing our walk with Him.  We can say no to the devil with the knowledge that we have said Yes To Christ!  He says, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” ~ John 14:6  Do you remember watching Saturday morning cartoons with the Schoolhouse Rock commercials?  I remember them fondly – especially the one that says, “Knowledge is Power.”  By always seeking knowledge and truth “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ~ John 8:32  It is knowledge
  of these truths,  and true desire to be delivered from our temptations, to ultimately defeat them.  “Through knowledge the righteous shall be delivered.” ~ Proverbs 11:9 
• Second, we must use the Word of God as our weapon against Satan.  When Jesus was in the wilderness, Satan tried to tempt him.  When He was tempted, He would place a shield in front of Him using scripture.  He quoted scripture from memory – as we all should learn to do – and Satan fears the Word of the Lord.